## Petition for Exemption 14 CFR § 11.81

From:

Michael R. Morton

925 Crowders Woods Dr. Gastonia, NC 28052 (704) 460-9200 me@michaelrmorton.com

To:

Federal Aviation Administration

I hereby submit a petition to receive an exemption or waiver from 14CFR § 11.81

Section 333 UAS.

My name is Michael Morton and I am a professional photographer specializing in real estate, architecture and nature/landscape images. I currently own a DJI Phantom 1 quadcopter with a mounted GoPro Hero 3+ camera and a DJI Phantom 3 quadcopter with the DJI mounted camera system.

I am seeking relief from section 333 in order to operate a Micro UAS on a commercial basis. The reason for this request is to take professional aerial video and photography for real estate agents, home builders, property development companies, and property owners. Since my business specifically provides these entities with professional video and photography, it is imperative that I provide my clients with the proper tools necessary to show each property they have for sale.

These professional pictures and videos are an essential benefit in defining property value and assisting in the marketing and sale of property. This is a service that my clients are demanding because, in the sale of real estate, prospective buyers are requiring more and more information in order to make their decision about the property they are considering. As property values go up, it is necessary for prospective buyers to see what they are buying, and adequately assess the value of the property. In years past in order to get good aerial photos and video of a property, it required someone with a manned aircraft to fly above the property. The use of a Micro UAS to do that job increases the safety of the public by reducing the risk of a large aircraft crash, creating a safer environment by not adding toxins to the air, reducing the amount of large aircraft in our airspace, doesn't incite unintentional fear to animals on the ground, and allows closer to the ground flights without disturbing the land or plant life. The use of a Micro UAS will also allow prospective buyers of the property views of lower elevation terrain that wasn't possible with larger aircraft.

I have many hours of flight using these Micro UAS systems as a hobbyist and believe that this will allow me to safely operate the quadcopter.The following are the specifications of the Micro UAS to be used.

Hardware:

Size 14inches in Diameter including propellors Weight under 4 lbs with mounted camera s Transmitter operating frequency is 5.728GHz-5.8GHz. Range Extender that operates at 2412-2462MHz. Travel speed of 35.79 mph with no wind Communication Distance of 985 Feet with Rage Extender

Installed Software:

Virtual Radar aircraft locator GPS auto-pilot system for position holding, provides altitude lock along with stable hovering GPS return to take off if communication is broke or low battery is detected No Fly Zone feature turns GPS off in no fly zones ( updated upon connection to internet)

In studying the information provided in the document located here:

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/media/021515_sUAS_ Summary.pdf

I am certain that I will meet or exceed those guidelines with the following specifications

at which I will be flying the Micro UAS.

Based on the equipment listed above we will operate Micro UAS that weighs less

than 4 lbs The VLOS (Visual Line of Sight) rule for my company is limited to an up and down motion no more than 300-400 feet of controller and operator. Due to the close proximity of the flights the Micro UAS will be able to be seen at all times without any additional monitoring equipment other than standard human eye vision Flight of the Micro UAS will be done with the permission of all parties associated with the property that will be filmed and at no time will I fly the Micro UAS directly over a person without prior knowledge and permission The Flight of the Micro UAS will not be performed during non-daylight hours and will only be flown in conditions that allow the Micro UAS to be seen by the operator at all times Although a First Person view camera will be used in the aid of taking pictures it will not be used to guide the flight The limitation of the Micro UAS to be flown at no more than 35mph we find that it is not necessary to fly it more than 15-20mphThe Micro UAS will not be flown any higher than 300 FT above the surface it is being flown over or Class G operations The Micro UAS will be inspected prior to every flight for safe operation including but not limited to battery condition, operations of electric motors, gps system, IR Controller, propellers, and WiFi connection between Micro UAS and Controller.

Based on Software installed the Micro UAS will not be flown within a 5mile radius of any commercial airstrip. Safety will be priority over pictures. If any flight will pose a safety hazard to anyone, animals, or the environment the flight will be immediately cancelled until

such time can be deemed safe. Operator will maintain a GPS signal with the Micro UAS at all times during the flight. If connection is broken the equipment's built in GPS system will return the Micro UAS to the initial take off point and land it safely. If that system is broken for any reason an emergency landing will take place lowering the Micro-UAS to the ground.

Furthermore, by following the above operational limitations that I have imposed on flights, I will not be posing any kind of harm to the public, environment, or to wildlife.

Since I will meet or exceed the operational requirements that are set forth to be enforced, I hereby request that I be granted an exemption.

Please contact me with the above contact information if you need any further

documentation.